Medicube PDRN Review: Pink Peptide Serum, Multi Balm & Exosome Shot 7500
Medicube PDRN Review: Is It Worth Buying?
Medicube skincare seems to be everywhere at the moment, particularly its very pink PDRN range.
After seeing the products repeatedly popping up online, curiosity got the better of me and I ended up buying three full-sized products: the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm and PDRN Pink Collagen Exosome Shot 7500.
The best bit? I paid £20.90 for all three in a deal from TikTok shop. The current combined retail price for these items is around £40.00 so I would definitely keep your eyes peeled for a deal. At the price I paid, I was more than happy to conduct a little skincare experiment.
So, would I actually buy any of them again?
The short version is that I would definitely repurchase the PDRN Pink Peptide Serum. I’d probably buy the Exosome Shot 7500 again too, despite it being one of the strangest skincare products I’ve ever used.
The Multi Balm? Glowy but not really life changing.
Before getting into my individual reviews, though, it’s worth talking about PDRN because there is a lot of hype surrounding this particular skincare ingredient.
What Is PDRN in Skincare?
PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide and, despite the complicated name, it is essentially made from small fragments of DNA. You may also have heard PDRN skincare referred to as “salmon DNA” or even “salmon sperm skincare”. Those descriptions certainly grab attention, but they make the finished skincare ingredient sound rather more alarming than it actually is.
PDRN has become particularly popular in Korean beauty and is now appearing in everything from serums to creams and balms. There is a caveat though, a lot of the excitement surrounding PDRN comes from its use in professional aesthetic treatments rather than ordinary skincare that you apply at home.
That doesn’t mean a PDRN serum is useless. It simply means I wouldn’t buy one expecting miraculous results just because PDRN is printed on the bottle.
For me, the more useful question is much simpler: does the actual product make my skin look and feel better, and is it worth the money? That’s how I’ve judged this bundle of three items.
It is also worth knowing that not all PDRN is necessarily suitable for vegans. Medicube has products containing salmon-derived PDRN as well as products made with its vegan Rose PDRN, so check the specific product if this is important to you.
Where to Buy Medicube PDRN Skincare
Medicube is widely available online, but I would be a little careful about where you buy it. There are some fakes circulating especially for the Multi Balm stick.
Popular skincare products inevitably attract questionable listings, particularly when they are heavily promoted on social media. I personally prefer buying skincare from the brand itself or an established beauty retailer rather than taking a chance on an unknown marketplace seller to save a few pounds.
If a deal looks suspiciously cheap, it is worth checking who is actually selling the product before ordering.
After all, skincare isn’t a bargain if you’re not confident about what you’re putting on your face.
In my case, I paid £20.90 for all three full-sized Medicube products as part of a promotion on TikTok shop – I was careful to buy from the official authorised retailer for Medicube on TikTok Shop in the UK which is the Medicube Official Shop.
What’s in the Medicube PDRN Range?
Medicube has a growing selection of PDRN skincare, but the three products I tried were:
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm
- PDRN Pink Collagen Exosome Shot 7500
Despite all belonging to the same general PDRN family, they are surprisingly different products.
The serum is the easiest to slot into an everyday skincare routine. The Multi Balm is designed as a portable moisturising stick for targeted areas, while the Exosome Shot is a much more unusual treatment with a noticeable prickling sensation.
Here’s how I got on with each one.
Tried and Tested: My Honest Medicube PDRN Review
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
This was easily my favourite product of the three.
The serum itself is pink, lightweight and absorbs nicely without leaving behind the annoying sticky layer that some serums do.
On my skin, it gives a subtle hydrating and brightening effect. My face looks a little fresher and glowier after using it, without feeling as though I have several layers of product sitting on my skin.
Alongside PDRN, the formula includes peptides and niacinamide, so PDRN isn’t the only ingredient of interest here. If you’re wondering what makes this product so pink, Medicube says the colour comes from vitamin B12 rather than artificial colouring.
Another positive for me is that the current formula is made without fragrance. My skin can be fairly temperamental, but I found this serum very easy to use and it fitted effortlessly into my existing skincare routine. It did not pill with make up or any other products I use.
Would I repurchase it?
Yes.
It feels lovely, leaves my skin looking hydrated and glowy and doesn’t require any faffing around. Of the three products I tried, this is easily the one I would put back in my basket.
Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm
I absolutely love the idea of this product.
It comes as a solid skincare stick, so it’s incredibly easy to throw into a handbag without worrying about it leaking everywhere. You can swipe it over areas that need a little extra moisture, including under the eyes, around smile lines, across the forehead, on the lips or even down the neck. I’ve used mine both under and over make-up.
The biggest difference I notice is instant shine and hydration. When I use it beneath my eyes, the area immediately looks a little smoother and my fine lines appear less obvious.
I don’t think my wrinkles are magically disappearing. Moisturised skin naturally looks plumper, while the sheen from the balm reflects light and makes the area look smoother. Being mid 40s with eye bags sufficient to pack for a sabbatical I appreciate any help I can get.
Not every beauty product needs to reverse the ageing process. Sometimes making my under-eyes look better right now is enough. The balm glides over my skin without dragging and I didn’t find it irritating around my eyes or smile lines.
I was less keen on using it across my forehead. After repeatedly applying it there, I noticed a few little bumps appearing. I can’t say for certain that the balm caused them, but they disappeared after I stopped using it on my forehead, so I’ve stuck to using it elsewhere.
Would I repurchase it?
Probably not.
I do like it, and the handbag-friendly stick is genuinely convenient. I just haven’t noticed enough of a lasting difference to make it something I need to replace when it runs out. I do like it though and it definitely will get used up.
Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Exosome Shot 7500
Now we get to the weird one.
The Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Exosome Shot 7500 is unlike anything else I’ve ever put on my face.
When you apply it, it feels as though you are rubbing microscopic prickles across your skin. The sensation doesn’t necessarily disappear immediately. For about an hour after applying this every time i touch my face it prickles.
There is actually a reason for this. The Exosome Shot contains tiny sponge-derived structures known as spicules, which create its distinctive tingling sensation.
Medicube itself warns that you may experience tingling when using the product. They weren’t joking, I think tingling is putting it mildly unless I am a wimp. It’s not painful but also not entirely pleasant. One thing I would be careful about is assuming that the tingling means it is “working”.
It doesn’t.
Feeling something happening on your skin can make a product seem particularly powerful, but a prickling sensation isn’t proof that your skin is being transformed.
So what did I actually notice?
My skin looked brighter afterwards and seemed to feel a little bouncier. It’s difficult to know how much of that is down to the product and how much is me expecting something impressive because I can physically feel it on my face. Either way, despite the prickles I actually enjoyed using it and liked how my skin looked afterwards.
What Are Exosomes in Skincare?
Exosomes have become another big skincare buzzword.
In very simple terms, they are tiny structures involved in communication between cells, which is why there is so much interest in how they might eventually be used in skincare and aesthetic treatments.
However, exosome skincare is still an emerging area. Different products can contain different ingredients, use different sources and be formulated in completely different ways. Seeing the word “exosome” on a skincare bottle therefore doesn’t automatically tell you how effective that particular product will be.
There is some interesting research happening, but I wouldn’t treat exosomes as a proven miracle anti-ageing ingredient. For now, I see products like this as interesting skincare rather than an alternative to professional treatments.
And despite the needle-like sensation, I certainly wouldn’t describe the Exosome Shot as “microneedling in a bottle”.
Would I repurchase it?
Probably, yes.
Not because I think it has magically transformed my skin, but because I genuinely enjoy using it. It’s unusual, satisfying and my skin looks good afterwards. That’s enough to make me curious enough to keep experimenting with it. A bottle will last me a really long time though because I use this at most once a week. My skin can be a bit red the day after using so I take this into account when deciding when to use it.
Which Medicube PDRN Product Is Best?
If I were spending my own money on these products again, the PDRN Pink Peptide Serum would be my first choice.
It’s lightweight, easy to use and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and looking nicely glowy. There is very little not to like about it.
The PDRN Pink Collagen Exosome Shot 7500 comes second. It’s definitely the strangest of the three, but it’s also the product I’m most curious to continue using.
Finally, there’s the PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm.
It’s convenient and gives an instant dewy finish, but I haven’t noticed enough of a lasting benefit to make it an essential repurchase.
Considering I paid £20.90 for all three full-sized products, though, I certainly got my money’s worth from this little skincare experiment.
What About Fake Medicube Skincare?
With Medicube becoming increasingly popular, I’ve also seen concerns online about fake products.
I don’t think it’s helpful to throw around claims about exactly how many counterfeits there are because it’s almost impossible for an ordinary shopper to know.
What we do know is that counterfeit cosmetics are a genuine consumer-safety concern in the UK. For that reason, I would be cautious about buying heavily discounted Medicube products from sellers you don’t recognise.
Check who the actual seller is, look at the packaging when it arrives and make sure basic information such as the ingredients is present. Personally, I would rather spend a little more with a retailer I trust than save a few pounds and spend the next month wondering what I’ve actually been putting on my face.
Final Verdict: Is Medicube PDRN Skincare Worth It?
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed trying the Medicube PDRN range. Do I think PDRN and exosomes are miracle ingredients that are going to transform my face overnight?
No.
Would I ignore the entire range because some of the marketing gets a little carried away?
Also no.
For me, the PDRN Pink Peptide Serum is the standout. It is pleasant to use, easy to fit into my routine and leaves my skin looking hydrated and glowy. I’d happily buy it again.
The Exosome Shot 7500 gets points for being genuinely different. The prickly sensation won’t appeal to everyone, but I find it strangely satisfying and like how my skin looks afterwards.
The Multi Balm is probably the weakest value proposition for me personally. I like the instant glow and convenient packaging, but I don’t need it enough to rush out and replace it.
And that’s really my biggest takeaway from trying trendy skincare ingredients like PDRN.
Ignore the complicated terminology for a moment and ask the questions that actually matter: Do you enjoy using it? Does your skin look or feel better? And is the difference big enough to justify buying it again?
For me, the serum passes that test.
If brightening is your main skincare goal, you might also like my Vitamin C serum review.
Medicube PDRN FAQs
Does PDRN Skincare Actually Work?
PDRN is an interesting skincare ingredient, but a lot of the research and excitement around it comes from professional aesthetic treatments rather than everyday creams and serums.
Research into PDRN applied directly to the skin is still developing, so I wouldn’t buy a product expecting dramatic results from PDRN alone.
Is Salmon PDRN Really Made From Salmon Sperm?
Some PDRN is produced using purified DNA originating from salmon or trout reproductive cells, which is where the rather dramatic “salmon sperm skincare” nickname comes from.
That doesn’t mean you are literally smearing salmon sperm onto your face. It is a processed cosmetic ingredient.
If you want to avoid animal-derived PDRN altogether, check the individual product because vegan alternatives are also available.
Why Does the Medicube Exosome Shot Tingle?
The Exosome Shot uses microscopic sponge-derived structures called spicules, which are responsible for its unusual prickling or tingling sensation.
That sensation can continue for a while after application, particularly when you touch your skin.
Does Tingling Mean Skincare Is Working?
No. Tingling, warmth or even stinging isn’t proof that a skincare product is effective.
In fact, if a product causes significant discomfort, redness or persistent irritation, I would stop using it rather than assuming that discomfort means better results.
Are Exosomes Proven for Anti-Ageing Skincare?
Exosomes are attracting a lot of scientific interest, but skincare containing exosomes is still an emerging area.
There is some promising research, but products can vary enormously, so I wouldn’t assume that every cosmetic labelled “exosome” will produce the same results.
Is Medicube PDRN Suitable for Sensitive Skin?
That will depend on the individual product and your own skin.
My experience is only my experience, and something my skin happily tolerates could irritate somebody else’s.
If your skin is sensitive, check the full ingredients and instructions for the particular Medicube product you’re considering and patch test where appropriate. I’d be especially cautious with products such as the Exosome Shot because the prickling sensation is an intentional part of the experience.
Disclaimer
This review is based on my personal experience of using these cosmetic skincare products and is for general information only. Everyone’s skin is different, and a product that suits me may not suit you.
If you have a skin condition, allergies or ongoing skin concerns, or you’re unsure whether a particular ingredient is suitable for you, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
